NDA victory in Jharkhand RS bypoll exposes Opposition rift

One vote, reportedly cast by an Opposition MLA, was declared invalid.

The results show the ruling NDA, led by CM Babulal Marandi, with 45 MLAs – including a nominated MLA — backed Apte. He got two Opposition votes too. The identity of the two is not known. RJD’s Sanjay Yadav, however, did not turn up. He is a history-sheeter declared an absconder by court.

The BJP has now wrested the Rajya Sabha seat from the JMM, whose chief Shibu Soren had won it with NDA support. He quit the seat after winning the June 2 Dumka Lok Sabha bypolls.

The Opposition is sullen after the loss. Soren was heard saying: ‘‘The defeat was inevitable. That’s why I picked Upadhya.’’